The Dominican Republic has announced it is receiving bids for the procurement of a biometric passport system. The director of the Passports Agency, Lorenzo David Ramírez Uribe, has called an international bidding process for an electronic or biometric passport for the Dominican Republic, according to a report in Caribbean National Weekly.
Speaking last week, Ramírez Uribe highlighted the ongoing transformation within the Passports Agency. He says less time is now needed to obtain a passport.
“Previously, the process took approximately three hours. After implementing several improvements, we have reduced the wait time to about 30 minutes. Appointments are available within two to three days for any need or emergency,” he stated.
Ramírez Uribe confirmed that the demand for passports continues to grow, with over 730,000 booklets issued in 2023 alone.
The new passports will feature an embedded electronic chip, enhancing document security and gaining international recognition. The director of the Passports Agency says the new passport will also facilitate visa-free entry for Dominicans to several countries.
Currently, the Dominican Republic is among the few countries that have not yet adopted this technology. An electronic passport, or e-passport, includes an embedded electronic chip and can be identified by a unique international symbol on the cover.
The chip will contain the same information as printed on the passport’s data page, including the holder’s name, date of birth, and other biographical details, as well as a biometric identifier, such as a digital photograph.
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Caribbean National Weekly
30 July 2024